Early Season Warm Weather Hunting Tips

Posted on 15 September 2015

Depending on what part of the country you live in, early bow season can pose many challenges. Not only do the long days and warm weather stifle deer movement, they also make scent and bug control quite difficult. Sweating is inevitable while you are in the stand in 70+ degree weather, especially if you pack in and pack out and hang your stand each time. The bugs and mosquitoes are also a huge nuisance, especially if your stand is near water. With these challenges, the question becomes, how do hunters combat these issues while staying as scentless as possible?

A hunter could spend hundreds on a quality electronic scent eliminator such as an Ozonics Scent Elimination Device, but not every hunter has the budget and backpack space for such a unit. Instead we'll look at more cost-efficient means for covering your scent. For starters, washing your hunting gear in a scent killer detergent is key. If you are going to dry your clothing in a dryer, investing in scent free dryer sheets would also be beneficial. Once your clothes are dry, store them in an airtight container or bag until you are ready to hit the field. It is also important to shower with a scent killing body wash and shampoo right before you head out. After your shower, make sure to use a towel that has been washed with scent control detergent. Then generously apply a scent killing deodorant. Dead Down Wind makes a great Scent Prevent Antiperspirant that is sure to keep your scent at bay, no matter how sweaty you get in the stand. It may also be a good idea to take the antiperspirant along with you to reapply if it happens to be an extremely warm day.

Once you get to the field, spray your gear, body, and boots down with a good scent control spray. In addition to scent control spray, scent control wafers also do a great job. Hunter’s Specialties sell reusable wafers with scents ranging from fresh earth to doe estrous. Using spray and wafers together is a deadly combination.

Now that your scent is covered, it is on to how to keep the bugs under control. Buying a Thermacell MR-TJ Mosquito Repellent will be one of the best purchases you can make if you hunt early season. There are not many options when it comes to odor free bug spray, which is why a Thermacell is your best bet. They also make Thermacell repellent mats that are earth scent. In addition to the Thermacell, one measure you can take to combat bugs is spraying around your stands with a concentration such as Bayer Permectrin which is typically used in pastures and on farm animals to repel ticks, mosquitoes, and flies. Hunters have also used this along deer trails to keep the amount of ticks on the deer down throughout the summer. This type of spray is one that would be used before the season starts as there is an odor to it and would not be something you would want to spray the day of your hunt.

Nothing is more frustrating than getting busted by your scent or getting busted because you were swatting at mosquitoes. There are several reputable brands out there to help combat these issues and several methods to try. It may take some extra time and work to ensure you are set when it comes to scent and bugs, but the rewards will surely be worth it.

Lindsey Bauer

Lindsey Bauer grew up shooting everything from revolvers to shotguns but did not start shooting a bow until 2013. Her father-in-law and brother-in-law got her hooked on the sport of archery and she has not turned back since. Lindsey has competed in several 3D and paper target competitions and even placed 3rd at the National Field Archery Association FITA held in Lincoln, Nebraska in January of 2015. Her and her husband recently purchased 40 acres in Iowa that they are looking forward to harvesting monster bucks on for years to come. She loves spending time outdoors and when she is not hunting or working on the land, she enjoys spending time on the water either bow fishing or bass fishing.